The basketball world knows that Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas do not like each other. They have clashed multiple times in the past, during their time in the NBA and also afterward. But the most recent development in the long feud is Isiah Thomas making a big revelation. Thomas reportedly said that he was unaware that he and Jordan were involved in a beef.
The two-time NBA champion spoke about it in public and said he didn’t know until the documentary “The Last Dance” came out. “I didn’t know we had a beef. I really didn’t. This beef that we supposedly had, or have. I didn’t know anything about it until ‘The Last Dance’. You have never heard me saying anything negative about him.” he said.
“I didn’t know we had beef… This beef that we supposedly had, I didn’t know anything about it until The Last Dance.”
Isiah Thomas on his beef with Michael Jordan 🧐
(via @DarnellMayberry)pic.twitter.com/z9GQwruWL9
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 6, 2023
During “The Last Dance,” the well-liked documentary about the Jordan Bulls dynasty that was released in July 2020, Jordan made clear his grudge with Thomas. Jordan called Isiah an “a**hole” on national television, and Isiah took offense. He believed that he looked after Jordan during his time in Chicago; therefore, he didn’t view it that way.
“You can show me anything you want. It’s no way you can convince me he wasn’t an a–hole.”
—MJ on Isiah Thomas #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/0v2ArzrghL
— ESPN (@espn) April 27, 2020
It has also been noted by several sources that Isiah’s true desire right now is for Michael Jordan to apologize. Even though Thomas is an all-time great point guard and member of the Hall of Fame, Jordan most likely came out on top in this rivalry.
Isiah Thomas is affirmative about resolving the beef with Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan’s offensive comment on national television certainly hurt Isiah Thomas and the Chicago Bulls star is now expected to issue an apology, and that too publicly. During his quest for his first championship, one of Jordan’s most fearsome opponents was Thomas and the Detroit Pistons, popularly known as the “Bad Boys.”
Jordan called Thomas an “a**hole” during a comment in the documentary, making it clear how much he disliked him. In his most recent appearance, Thomas expressed his need for an apology from the Bulls Great and expressed a desire for an “honest conversation” with Jordan. While clearing his stance on the rivalry, Thomas said, “I don’t hate anybody. If the brother came here and sat down today and wanted to have an honest conversation — keyword, honest — I’m down for it.”
More from Isiah Thomas on his strained relationship with Michael Jordan:
“I don’t hate anybody. If the brother came here and sat down today and wanted to have an honest conversation — key word, honest — I’m down for it.” pic.twitter.com/Mist32WC3i
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) November 6, 2023
Thomas stressing the word ‘honest’ implies that Jordan has not been transparent in his comments around the feud, although he has not made many. It remains to be seen if the two greatest basketball players in history will sit next to one another and attempt to put an end to their 30-year feud, or if Michael Jordan will continue to disregard Isiah as he always has.